International Police Operation Dismantles Cybercrime Group in Yerevan
A joint operation conducted by law enforcement agencies from Kazakhstan and Armenia has successfully dismantled a significant transnational cybercrime group operating within Yerevan. This coordinated international effort resulted in the shutdown of two fraudulent call centers and the arrest of 41 individuals implicated in a large-scale investment scam.
Kazakhstan-Armenia Joint Effort Targets Investment Scam Call Centers
The collaborative operation was executed by the Cybercrime Counteraction Department of Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and the General Department for Investigation of Especially Important Cases of Armenia’s Investigative Committee. This partnership highlights the critical importance of international law enforcement cooperation in addressing the escalating threat of sophisticated cybercrime that transcends national borders.
Victims Across Europe and Kazakhstan Lured by Fake Investments
The criminal organization strategically targeted citizens in Kazakhstan and various European nations, deceiving them into investing in sham companies. Utilizing elaborate online platforms and persuasive call center tactics, the perpetrators misrepresented investment opportunities, defrauding numerous individuals across multiple countries and causing substantial financial damage.
Yerevan Call Centers: Operational Hubs for Transnational Fraud
The two call centers located in Yerevan served as the central operational bases for this extensive transnational fraud scheme. These hubs were equipped with advanced technological infrastructure and staffed with personnel who executed the intricate investment scam, underscoring the role of certain urban centers as potential hotspots for international cybercriminal activities.
Multi-National Criminal Network: Arrested Individuals’ Nationalities
During the targeted operation, authorities apprehended 41 individuals of diverse nationalities, including citizens of Armenia, Georgia, Iran, Syria, and Lebanon. The varied origins of the arrested individuals underscore the globalized nature of contemporary cybercrime, highlighting the complex challenges in combating networks that operate across multiple jurisdictions and involve actors from diverse backgrounds.
Assets Seized: Gold, Cash, Cars, and Crypto Recovered in Raids
In a series of coordinated raids, law enforcement agencies successfully seized a significant array of assets, disrupting the financial underpinnings of the criminal enterprise. Recovered items include over 70 computer units, approximately one kilogram of gold, $30,000 in cash, along with Russian rubles, Georgian lari, five luxury vehicles, and cryptocurrency wallets. The confiscation of these assets marks a considerable setback for the criminal organization, demonstrating the effectiveness of international law enforcement collaboration.
Investigation Continues to Uncover Full Extent of Cybercrime
Armenian law enforcement, in close coordination with their Kazakh counterparts, are actively pursuing ongoing investigative and operational measures to fully elucidate all facets of the fraudulent scheme, identify any remaining accomplices, and ascertain the total financial impact of this cybercrime network. The continuing investigation is aimed at ensuring that all responsible parties are brought to justice and that the entirety of the criminal operation is exposed and effectively neutralized.
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